Electric regulation



Feb. 26 1924.

E. J. BLAKE EnoTRIc REGULATION v Filedmarch 25, v'um 4 Sheets-Sheet 1S513 lli/1 @1Mo/(Muts,

Feb. 26 ,1924.

1,484,620- E. J. BLAKE ELECTRIC REGULATION Filed March 25 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 2' Smm/tot Feb. 26 1924.

E. J. BLAKE ELBSTRIC REWJIJA'I'IOM Filed March z5 1922 4 sheets-sheet aWIW/1 Feb. 26 1924. l

E. -LBLAKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI J. BLAKE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GOULD COUPLER COMPANY, ACORIORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

Application led March 25, 1922. Serial No. 546,852.

To (all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ELI J BLAKE, a. citizen of the United States, andresident of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Regulations, ofwhich the following is a specifica tion.

The invention relates to electric regulation, and particularly to lampregulators, or regulators for other loads, in which current is receivedfrom a source having a widely varying potential. The invention isparticularly adapted to meet conditions involved in maintaining lampvoltage on multiple unit cars receiving current from a third rail at avoltage which varies between 35() and 750 volts. In such a case theenergy dissipation required is much greater than that required in usualpractice in connection with lamp regulators, operating on 3() or 60 voltcircuits, and the resistance range which would be required of a carbonpile is considerably in excess of the resistance range ordinarilyrequired.

In order to meet such conditions, in ac cordauce with the presentinvention, circuits are arranged in which the greater part of the dutyof energy dissipation is placed on fixed resistance units, which arepreferablyv used in connection with unusually long piles of carbons ofsmall diameter.

The invention involves combinations and arrangements of circuits,resistances, and controlling means therefor by which the dcsiredregulation may be accomplished, and also involves certain features ofmechanical construction. Among these latter may be mentioned improvedmeans for controllingr the pressure on carbon piles of a characterparticularly adapted for use in this invention. Experience has shownthat friction of the pile prevents adequate release of pres sure througha pile of considerable length when such release is effected by mov ,mentof one end only. Accordingly a feature of this invention comprises theprovision of movable heads at both ends of a pile, with the furtherprovision, when a plurality of piles are used, of an equaliaing systemarranged to maintain the saine pressure on the ends` of ill the piles.

Generally speaking the objects of the invention are, first, theprovision of means for dissipating a relatively large amount of energyfor the purpose ofl regulation with out the necessity of providing aproportionate dissipating capacity in the regulating carbon pile;second, the provision of means whereby the sensitiveness of regulatoraction may be increased by increasing the variation of the regulatingcurrent produced by a given change in the load circuit; and third, theprovision ofl effective mechanism for the simultaneous control of aplurality of carbon piles. Other objects of the invention comprise theprovision of improved combinations of parts and construction of elementsas will be more fully set forth in the following specification.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, attention ishereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of thisapplication and illustrating certain embodiments of the invention. Inthe drawings- Fig. 1 represents a front View partly in section of aregulator comprising features of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are'vertical sections taken respectively on line 2 2 andline 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive are circuit diagrams illustrating variousmanners in which the invention maybe applied.

Referring first to Figs. 4 to 10 of the drawings, various systen orcircuit arrangements are diagrammed in which the first and second of thethree above named general objects are provided for. The mechanicalconstructions by which the third object is efi'ected will be explainedlater in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 illustrates a case in which it is desired to maintain a constantcurrent in the load, indicated as a single lamp 3. The fixed resistancel and the carbon pile 2, comprising a variable resistance composed of aplurality of contacting electrodes, controlled by solenoid 4, areconnected in parallel with each other and in series with the lamp 3. At5 is indicated a ballast resistance having a constant currentcharacteristic connected in parallel with the solenoid 4. The circuit iscontrolled by a switch 6 and is supplied with energy troni a variablepotential source which is not illustrated but is indicated merely by'the symbols plus and ininus the ends of the circuit.

t Will be noted that the consisting ot the solenoid e resistance 5 isconnected in series with the load. if the current in the load circuitincreases as the supply potential varies7 the current through thesolenoid will increase until it reaches such a Value as to relieve thecarbon pile :2 of pressure` thereby increasing the resistance in serieswith the load and tending to liniit the loud to a definite valuedeterniined by the characteristics of the solenoid 4.

lt is well noivn that certrin conductors such as iron rire at a criticaltemperature value have the chara teristic thettheir resistance increasesVery rapidly with their t j with the currnultiple group 4 l l and dienaliast temperature. and conscquentl rent flowing through the-in. licresult that they maintain n very close approximation to a` constantcurrent ilo throughout a considerable range ot Voltage variation acrosstheir terminals. The ballast resistance 5 has this characteristic;consequently the current which flows through it is nearly inve-riahle7and practically the `whole variation of current through the load 3 isprovided by a variation ol the current through the solenoid l. The.rariation of current in the solenoid being the total Variation, Whilethe total current in the solenoid is only a traction oi' the total loadcurrent, it is evident that a =qiren percentage variation in loadcurrent Will produce s larger percen age var'ation of current throughthe solenoid Lt. For example, il the ballast resistance ,nintains aconstant current of S amperes, and if the solenoid fl is designed toregulate at 2 nnipcres. the solenoid will rece-ive its normal currentwhen the load circuit is receiving l0 ainperes. lt now, the load currentis diminished to Se; ninperes,

normal, the ci rrent in the regulatig-oil will be reduced to 0.5 ainpereor l, or its normal relue. ln like inn-.nner any variation current inthe load circuit 3 will produce a relatively ninpnili current throughthe recul le and e. Correspondined;v inalgniiieii ieeulnting` action.

ln illustrnted lijf Fic. 4A., it -vwill L it that load or translatingineens 3, in i hih s constant curr lnt is to lie maintained, ha constant4istance and S that the potentie.L drop throu n lamp 3 will also beconstant. Neglectinene sinall drop of potential through solenoid 4 andball last resistance it is evident that the parallel circuit. consistingor the resistor l and 'lliccarbon pile Q must absorb a variable .l undits shunt bullast resistance 5 amount oi energy depending upon the ditference oet-Ween the variable supply voltage and the. constant icedvoltage. The current constant, the energy absorption is lnaxiniuni whenthe voltage drop a inaniniuin. ji t this time we may assume for purposesol' illustration that the carbon pile has been lar relieved or pressurethat the current through it is negligible. The total current will thenlion' through a lined resistor l, the rei-,1 tance of which illust nothe less than the total resistance required lor the nrixiinuni drop elpotential. Under this condition ille energy i ysipation in carbon pile 2is zero, but als he required drop dii. riches the curi-cirL supplied bythe lizied resistor liecoines insuincieiit to maint-ain the requiredconstant current in the load. The solenoid accordingly permits anincreasingl coni ire -i or the carbon pile :2 which supplies un increas'ig share ol the current irouired i'or the loan circuit. Ail the saineat one-nal'lf ol the niaxiiuuin potential drop.

suppl,

.lerac the duty o? 1the carbon pile iu watts is onequarter as great asthe duty it would perlorin at the inagiinuiu (rop7 if thiJ linedresistor were uhsent.

rillie circuit shown in Fig. 5 is siinilar to that just described,except that the solenid are connected across the 'eriuinals of the loadL (in series with u resistor lll) und, therefore', aci to maintainconstant potential on the lead circuit, wherczis in ifie. l the solenoidl with its shunt ballast r list-lince 5 was connected in series with theload circuit to maintain constant curr/nt in that circuit. it Vwill. olfcourse.r be understood that the. solenoid and ballast resistor shown inl? ig. f' will be ot liner nire and will be given utaolecharneleristic-s in euch 5 lor the ri it with which the;v arc to beused.

The circuit s iown in (i is siniilar to that shown in f f, but ir i' idoi.' a constant lainp io the loa-:l if. .houn as consistini;` or thrc ii i each concircui i.

8. AUso sisior. as shon Tor element is dii 1 lind i2. arrangedconnealion. The lined resistor f l in psral il with the tainingr a laniping controlled hy instead oi' element r is cerlion pile 2 when the.curreiit in tA eine :ne

scribed y: lue .such as 'lll aniperes. In lilre manner the. r ist-orsection l2 is cut in by the relay T1 when the load current exceeds sornehif ier Value such as 2") amperes. In either ca the resistance actuallyconnected is so proportioned to the "Ill ll tl lli) connected load as tofunction substantially in the manner described in connection withFigures 4 and 5, that is to say, the resistance in parallel with thecarbon pile at any `iven load is approximately the resistance requiredto supply a major part of the load current when the supply potential isa maximum. ln this example, as in that shown by Fig. 5, the solenoid itwith its shunt ballast resistance 5 (and series resistor l0) areconnected across the load terminals to maintain constant potential onthe load circuit.

In Fig. '7 a similar circuit is shown in which, however, the relays 7and Tb are associated, each with an individual branch of the loadcircuit. lhenever current flows in one of the load circuits, such as theupper one shown in the figure, the relay, such as relay T, closes so asto connect the carbon pile andv a resistor suitable for that particularload circuit in parallel. llihen, for eX- ample. the switch S of theupper load circuit is closed, the resistor l and pile 2 will beconnected in parallel by the closing of relay 7, and when switch 8 ofthe lower load circuit is closed the other fixed resistor 1b Will be cutin by the relay 7b.

The arrangement shown by Fig. 8 is similar to that shown in Fig. 7 withthe eXception that the shunt resistance around the carbon pile is variedby short circuiting a section for each load circuit cut in, instead ofby adding a resistor in parallel. The connections by which sections ofresistor lC are thus affected ivill be apparent from the diagram. y

The arrangementshown in Fig. 9 is similar to that shown in Fig. 7 withthe exception that the resistor for each load circuit is cut in by aswitch, upon closing the circuit, instead of by a relay. For example, ifthe load circuit 3b is closed by closing the double pole switch 8b, theresistance section l" is simultaneously connected to the line inparallel with carbon pile Q.

Fig. l() illustrates what may be considered an elaboration of the systemshown in Fig. T. .ln the system shown in Fig. 10 four load circuits areprovided for, each being shown as comprising five translating devices,such as lamps 3, lin series. Resistors l, lb, 1, and ld are shown aspermanently connected in series. each with one of the lamp circuits,these resistors being suitable for absorbing the difference between themaximum supply voltage and the lamp voltage. Relays "A, 7". '7" and iare arranged similarly to the relays i and Tb in Fig. 7, one of theserelays closing whenever its lamp circuit is energized, and connectingthe mid point between the lamps and the corresponding resistor to a busconnection 211 leading to the .regulator carbon pile 2. The ballastresistance 5 is shown in shunt with coil 4:, as in the previouslvle,.-"criled diagrams.

It will be noted that a resistance unit 10 is in series with regulatingcoil 4. Resistance l0 has three functions; first to absorb a port-ion ofthe load voltage.y which in the case of an installation such as isillustrated in Fig. ld, may be too high for satisfactory applicationdirectly to coil Second, to permit the coil to be Wound for relativelysmall voltage and high. current. This is for the purpose of assuring acertain minimum current flew through the carbon pile, even when all loadcircuits are open. This minimum current tion1 being assured, it is notnecessary to reduce the current through the pile to zero. and anyopening of the circuit in the pile with an attending tendency tovibration avoided. Third, the series resistance unit l() may he of verylow temperature co-eiiicient and may serve to limit the variation ofregulator setting, due to variation of resistance with temperature inthe regulating circuit.

lt will he understood that the constant current ballast resistance maybe used in various installations for the purpose of increasing thesensitiveness of the regulating action. and that theI use of the sameconstitutes one of the features of the invention, but that the inventionis not limited to include this feature, and that the same may some timesbe omitted.

Figs. 1,2 and 3 illustrate a form of regulator in which the systems ofregulation above described may be carried out and in which an improvedmechanism for the control of the carbon piles is effected. Theregulator, as shown, may be considered as applied to the regulatingsystem diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l0, it being, of course,understood that the connections may be modified to meet desiredconditions in accordance. for example, with the other forms ofregulation referred to in connection Wit-h the other diagrammatic viewswhich have been described.

Referring to Figs. 1,2 and 3, it may be noted first that a series ofcarbon piles 2A, 2B 2f", and 2 are used which may be long piles ofcarbons of small diameter connected together in series and which willcorrespond to the carbon pile 2 referred to in the various Wiringdiagrams. Pressure on opposite ends of all these piles is equalized andcontrolled by means of mechanism to be described. In place of theregulating coil 4 referred to in connection with the various diagramsFigs. 4 to 10, a pair of regulating coils 4:1 and 41 are illustratedwhich are provided with cores having poles between which an armature isadapted to swing, the movementof the armature serving to control thepressure on the carbon piles by means to be described.

Referring now in detail to the construetion illustrated, a pair ofbrackets 1l and lle one

ilLcL opp -le uli@ Le fl i ust e i1. shunL` round i i Freni he erni ses'-1 x u A n iniougn kne cui. in he order :i n 2;) on u rnine 24, Ccd

later.

Contact with each ce euch end` of the seme ihrer 2G, each of which hears:it br. the Carbon pile. rEhe e'rher ends of the plungers 2S at the lefthand ends ci' tl e piles,

h plungers one end meinst referring lo L ig. l, heer ege-inst equulizinghe right 1ne-,nd ends of the piles and QG heur :er ecuelizing lever 2T,while Jshe right hand ends or piles 2A and 2D heer against terminalblocks 28. A light spring 29 is positioned around each YWasher and nrw?'he Cup plunger 26 and peurs against n entrer pin Si) :il one l und2:51' mi .12 l Y v. y @i (i i, ie lA i sli ein eil ile vi' rizil whichserum of hentai i phj-fing dire T shown :il

rig. L, verrier?. by n e r-ciuilizing lever o? und enr` von knife inne3T is supported by i ok nieinher 1,9 which to lhe ,freine i4, Theinffnl: 7

is supil orted by pivors F381 fr( i ineinher 391 which is printed al' lo1v to frame 14` 'The niernhers 38, 89 and 4l) lieinc* similar te thenienihers 981, 391 and 411V. f scrzm's indicned l the pivot pins 381, 40una 401;. in the rocking nJ- inhers and frnine.

The insulkii tulie 23T actuar "the springing he describen. hi.' n pushrod al- Whil Y suleting ruhe 49 is .similarly nein pull rod 44. Thelatter interrnpie :lliure 52, subsequently to rricully by sin insulningjoinr 4r i'o insulare this mechanism from he iie edge support e-i uhe 42ro which pull rod 44 is ni'nf'lwd A its right l sind end.

1 44, near ills lel; hond lend, referl, pases freely ihre-ni n lnishedinsulating tube 21T :is indicated n Y i; lo nmin'nin the r') n sulatine;l Y C y Lied in parallel plm-es ,zo that the faces o l c eqnzxlizinrglevers Y will be kept perpendicular to the plnngcrs 2V which theyengage.

The actuating rods 43 and 44 are pivotnlly connected et their left handends to links 4G and 47. These links, as is shown at the left handportion of Fig. 1, are hinged at their left hund ends to opposite endsof :i link 48, which serves to maintain links 46 and 47 parallel. Links46 and 47 have notches 49 formed therein which are adapted to engageknife edges() attached to shaft 51, (see Fig. 2). An armature 52 is alsomounted on shaft 51., this armature being adapted to swingbetween polesformed in the cores 53 of the regulating coils 41, 41. The armature andcores, together with a base member 54 formed integral with the frame 14,constitute a magnetic circuit upon which the coils 41 are placed.

lVhen coils 41 are energized, the armature tends to swing into the planeof the two cores 53. A spring 'is provided to oppose this tendency, (seeFig. l), this spring being attached at its right hand end to stud 56 andconnected by means of rod 57, turn buckle and the eye 59 to a post 60attached to armature 52. The armature may be provided with copper bands61 surrounding the end portions thereof and tending to damp outoscillations of the armature. A pin 62 projected through an opening inthe yoke member 63 serves to limit the movement of the armature 52.

The parts are shown in the position assumed when they are le-energized'.It a current is supplied by the incoming wires to the terminal 23 at anypotential higher than that for which the regulator is adjusted, thearmature 52 will move towards alignment with the plane of the cores lnso doing it will partially release the pressure exerted by the knifeedges 50 of shaft 5l against notches 49 in links 46 and 47, the movementot armature 52 towards alignment with. cores 53 being opposed by springlVhen pressure of knife edges 50 on seats 49 is thus partially released,the push oit rod 43 against tube 37 and the pull of rod 44 upon tube 42will be somewhat decreased and accordingly the pressure of tubes 37 and42 upon the ends ct the carbon piles, exerted through levers 27 andterminal blocks 28 and plungers 26, will be correspondingly decreased.The carbon piles will raccordingly be perinitted to expand somewhat inboth directions and to partially relieve themselves of pressure.Throughout this releasing movement equality of pressure will bemaintained at both ends of the piles because of the fact that anequalizing level.' 27 serves to main-A tain equality of pressure asbetween ,each pair `of adjacent piles. Furthermore the equalizedpressure will bev substantially maintained without any sliding ot anypile as a whole through its containing tube, provided that the expansionof all piles at similar pressures is similar. Thus the .maximum pressurethat can exist between the carbons in any pile when the ends have beenwholly relieved ot pressure .is ythe slight torce required to slide thecarbons trom the central portion of any piletowards either end thereof`during the expansion of the pile. Such an arrangement is of importancein cases in which the utilization ot the greatest possible potentialdrop in the carbon piles is required, since the limiting resistancevalue of any carbon pile is determined by the internal pressure requiredbetween discs to slide the discs along their support during the slightexpansive movement of release.

Equilibrium will be restored when the releasing movement referred to hasproceeded to such a point that the resistance of the carbon pilesreduces the voltage available across the circuit of the coils 41 tonormal. If now a lamp load, such as one of the lamp circuits shown inFig. 10, is turned on in one of the circuits connected to the posts 22,the corresponding relay 7a or 7 b etc., will close, connecting themiddle point of the lamp circuit by means ot bus connection 21l to thecircuit regula-ted by the carbon piles. It the supply ot' voltage isless than that for which the resistor l are adapted, the currentreceived by the connected lamp circuit through its own particularresistor l Will be less than normal. The deficiency will be supplied bythe circuit through the carbon piles which will be accordinglyreadfjusted as required for maintaining normal volta-ge under themodified condition. When any other lamp circuits are turned on theoperation is, of course, the same, any deficiency of current suppliedthrough the fixed resistors 1 being supplied by the circuit through thecarbon piles in the manner described in connectionwith the diagram Fig.l0.

The circuits through the carbon piles, it will be noted, extends frompost 24 through terminal block 28 connected therewith, pressure head orplunger 26 and carbon pile 2A, through equalizinglever 27 at the lett topile 2B, through the latter, through equalizing lever 27 at the right topile 2C, through the latter, through the equalizing lever 27 at the leftto pile 2D, through the latter, and the terminal block 28 at the rightand thence to post 25. l

lVliile I have described the invention'in its preferred form in greatdetail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to suchform or details, since many changes may be made and the inventionembodied in widely different forms without departure from the spirit andscope thereof in its broaderaspects, and various features of theinvention may be used without using others.

I claim- 1. An electrical system having in combination a source ofvariable voltage, electric translating means connected to be supplied bysaid source, means for regulating the energy supplied by the source' tothe translating means comprising a variable resistance composed of aplurality ot contacting electrodes and ay fixed resistance in parallellil) therewith, both being in series Wit-li the translating ineens, eeeil responsive to eertaiin electrical variations the system ffircontrolling said regulating ineens enel n resistance in shunt to seideoil. serial last inentionetl resistance having n eone v.nt currentelnirzieteristie.

An eleetrieel system having; in Combina arable voltage5 electric 1 illtra ineens eonneeted te be supplied ineens 'for regulating :lie oy: Une`sonree to the trnns- 3i` ele resistance eentzietins electrode :f xzllelthere. .L l.

mentioned resi; rent eliereeteristi f.

8. An electrical system liziY-:ing' in eornbinzrtion a sonree ofvariable voltage, plurality 'i' translating neetecl to ne snp- ,olieehere 4imposed 'oiles in e eoil reseies vri-lli sponsife eetrienlsjrstein having in eoinloinzrl ef -Aarielole Voltage, :i Qlnrelitj o nseenne-etefl to lie snpeeyr` e varii ble resistance eoinposed :iplurali-t3` o ting eleetroiles in series with nennst e Coil ret to eelvariations in itl Variable .1 resist entres e more of e seid Ter.

irfl tilzen lijf mentioned ting' to eoninnt to tlie variable resis .sneeresponsive certain rrrietions in enrrent supplied to ine trans- Anelectrical sjsein lio-Ying i1; e l

3 (ineinai sonree o't variable voltage. er

\ )lnrality i lening; devices connected to lie snpn ier thereby i'iparallel with one zinotlierj il l resist-nee eoinpesetl O e pluralityingr electrodes eenneetefl in series e lliting eleviees for regulatingrgy supplie@ thereto, lixecl resistnnee ineens adapte-l to be connectedin shunt to seid Vn 'inole resistance and elect-roi spensive meanscontrolling the connection of different amounts of said fixed resistancein slnint to said variable resisten/e responsive tl Certain variationsin logil teken by sani ti nisleting deiv eleetri '1;

il( l7 il. SUlll coni f Y gin e plie r inelins Controlling the eonr'iee-'int amounts of swirl fixed reffnt to snitl variable resistmree 1 :iin7arizitions in lr ed translating ileviees, :intl u coil voltagefflisinges across tire. ne' devices for eoinrolling tlie operof seidvariable resiste-nee. En eleetrienl system herring in eointion, e sourceoil' Ynriulile voltage. plunslziting devices eonneeljefl to ne erelly inpiirrillel with one en linee eoniposml ol ai oi" eentneting electrodeseonneeteil with the translating (levier-s for r tne energy' suppliedthereto, tixefl ineens :irlzipted to oe eonneeierl in to .3mal variableresistirme :intl eleetroineens eonfillingY tlie connection e it:nnonn'ts ot snif tilted, resistance o seid variable resistanceresponeertziin Variations in loud lilqen liv ln-islziting (levi/eee.:infl n Coil re onacross; llie lr-irrfmeinfr ng the Sipernti'on of kieoil, sind resislzinee lrzifingr e" j 'rent el zufzxeteristie. 8. AnStein liirfing le Coni- 1 1 l v j l n irnieile ioilnin. z plni one ln'smid sonrie n erir- "slsl'iinee seriell@v ron- .l vi l to swirl mi elere- `r `fl Ygiri lile ieslf z responsive t I ir-retiens at tlie lumps tocontrol tlie ilonv of Current lo l'lie leunt, :intl :i nee in slrnntrelition t coil, se Y tionerl re lee l e consta t elterneteiistie.

eleel'riefil syste-ni lrivinp; in eoini'ririnlile rol de :i plw ieeterl'in efitli one Y of SON?

. nneetetl with e; nini' rel;A

to Ln` lerinl'ile t i Vmeting one er more oi snit resistance eleinensresponsivc to various amounts of current taken from the source, andmea-ns vfor controlling said variable resistance responsive to certainelectrical variations ot the system to regu late the energy supplied tothe lamps.

10. An electrical system of distribution having in combination a sourceof variable voltage, a plurality of-lamp circuits connccted in parallelwith one another to be supplied from said source, each of said circuitshaving a plurality ot' lamps therein in series relation with oneanother, a variable resistance connected in series relation with saidlamp circuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to beconnected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and inseries relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one ormore oit said resistance elements responsive to various amounts otcurrent take-n from the source, and means for controlling said variableresistance responsive to certain electrical variations of the system toregulate the energy supplied to the lamps.

11. An electrical system of distribution having in combination a sourceof variable voltage, av plurality of lamp circuits connected in parallelwith one another to be supplied from said source, each of said circuitshaving a plurality of lamps therein in series relation with one another,a variable resistance connected' in series relationwith said lampcircuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to be connectedeach in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in seriesrelation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or more ofsaid resistance elements responsive to various amounts of current takenfrom the source, and means for controlling said variable resistanceresponsive to certain electrical Variations of the system to regulatethe energy supplied to the lamps, said variable resistance comprising acarbon pile and said controlling means comprising a coil responsive tovoltage variations at the lamps.

12. An electrical system of distriluitiou having in combination a sourceof variable voltage, a plurality of lamp circuits connccted in parallelwith one another to be supplied from said source, each ot said circuitshaving a plurality of lamps therein iu series relation with one another,a variable resistance connected in series relation with said lampcircuits. a plurality ot resistance elements adapted to be connectedeach in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in seriesrelation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or moreoicsaid resistance elements responsive to various amounts of current takentrom the source. and ymeans for controlling said variable resistanceresponsive to certain electrical variations of the system to regulatethe energy supplied to the lamps, said variable resistaiuze conun'isinga carbon pile and said controlling means comn'ising a coil respon-- siveto voltage variations at the lamps, and a resistance in shunt to saidcoil, said resistance having a constant current charm:- teristic.

13. An electrical sj/vstem ol distriluititm having in combination asource ot variable voltage, a plurality of lamp circuits conn nccted inparallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each oic saidcircuits having a plurality ot lamps therein in series relation with oneanother,l a variable rcsistance connected in series relation Vwith saidlamp circuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to beconnected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and inseries relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one ormore ot said resistance elements responsive to various amounts ofcurrent taken trom the source, and meansy 14. In an electrical system,the co1nbiuation with a plurality of load circuits, of a variableresistance, a relay associated with each load circuit, and a resistorcontrolled thereliv, to be connected in parallel u'ith said variableresistance When the 'associated load circuit is energized. v

15. In an electrical system, the combination with a. source of variablevoltage, of a plurality of load circuits connected in parallel with oneanother to be supplied from said source, each of said circuits having amiddle point, with electric translating means on one side of said pointand a tired resistor on the other side thereof, a variable resistance,and switch means associated with each load circuit to connect the middlepoint thereof` with said variable resistance to connect the latter inseries with the translating means of said circuit and in shunt -with thefixed resistor thereof.

16. In an electrical system, the combination with a source ot variablevoltage, of a plurality of load circuits connected in parallel with oneanother to be supplied from said source, each o'l said circuits having amiddle point, Wit-h electric translating means on one side ot said pointand a fixed resistor on the other side thereof, a f'ariable resistance,and automatic switch means comprising an electromagnet in each loadYcircuit adapted to connect the middle point thereof with said variableresistance Whenever said 17. ln an electrical c tion with a source ofnlnralitv cf lo; allel .iiLv said se middle point.

means on one side ot resister cn the etlier including a. iarbon ccilthereto across the a point en iid fiile and ed to be connected in feacli other. in circuit ivitli a ,serre ct variable ncr 'izfnetie ineensi El tential and a load. elect 'for controlling` tbe resistand a circuitin slinnt vfitl magnetic means. so errance variations therein are 19. lnan electric regulate t c.

s ieafl tien of a carbon pile. a prec. are ed to exert pressure apen andelectric curr nt to one end tliere( rate member bearing against saranged to exert a varjv' .u and. to ccnvev electrical cnrr V crete.. aspring arranged to maintain meenanical contact between said head andmemlhl all times.

90. In an electric regulator. tlie combination of a pair cf carbon pilesand an inslated pressure een liiner member in incclianical and electriccontact 'with ene end ct eacli pile to connect tbem cleelricalljv and toexertnineclianical nresnire against tliem.

21. In an electr' eejlilator. tbc ccnibii tion ci: Jonr `parallel cakben piles an een. izing lever bearii fri ond pile. at one en(Ltliereo'i. an ediializinfr lever bearing' against tlie ai pile at tlieopposite enes tlierefrl.. and an equalizing lever bearing` against tliethird rsf' and secand fourth pile tlre lirst named end thereof.

melma@ n an electric regilator. the combina t a pluralitv ci carbonpiles rrr Jed Y te each other with their azes in l'lic l and a recitingmember `pivohfl "i'ansrersc te lie z te maintain c tbe a tiesrequlcl'o". tlie efrnliina carbon piles pesite ends et pair of' piles i;fable l Y i iid levers are nv'ted. a 'ntain positions al\vajxs atA right`angles e zes the piles. and means tor coning tlie movement of saidmembers tos and zivav frein tlie piles. ln an electric regulator. tbecombination et a plurality'. l( ifreater than two. of carbon piles.ecnalixinfr levers at opposite ends eig the piles. eaeli lever bearingragainst the i ids et an adiacenti pair of piles. said levers beine; saarran.fred that nrcssnre exertel at one end oi a Dile will. betransmitted tlironeli all tbe iiiles, and means for mc ne" the tnlrrnmsof all the levers toivairls and aivav from tbe piles simultanedevices.andimeans YPer moving said memand away lien parallel lines towards fromsaid piles.

26. ln an electric regulator. tlie combination ot nlnralitv carbonpiles. pres-- sure devices bea against opposite ends thereof.insulatingn men'lbers adjacent said Dressnrc one at cach end ci? thedevices. piles. evendi-ne' at right angles to the axes of said piles.Contact means carried bv said members` atlante-l te eni'afle against.said Dresser/e devicesr` and automatic means for moving both insulatingmembers to- ,rds and aivav from said pressure devices, simultaneously'.tlircuirli like distances, vsibile mafataininf said members inparailelism.

Q7. In an electric regulator. the combination ci a nluralitvfv ciparallel carbon Diles. one above tlie other. upright insulating members.one adjacent each end. ot tbe piles. contact devices carried bv saidmembers. for engaging the ents et the piles. and a pair el membersmounted. on vertical hinges.7 one.

right angles to the axes thereof, adapted to .move towards and away fromthe same in parallel planes, and connections between said pressure meansand said armature for so moving said pressure means.

29. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of carbonpiles and regulating means therefor, comprising electro-magnetic meanshaving a pair of pole pieces, an armature pivoted between said polepieces and adapted to swing towards alignment with said pole pieces whensaid electro-magnetic means is energized, pressure means at oppositeends of said piles, at right angles to the axes thereof, adapted to movetowards and away from the same in parallel planes, and links connectingpoints on said armature on opposite sides of the pivot thereof with saidpressure means and arranged to move in planes parallel with the axes ofsaid piles.

30. In an electric regulator, the combination of a resistor andregulating means therefor comprising a pair of electromag net coils withpole pieces and an armature pivoted between said pole pieces and adaptedto swing towards alignment with said pole pieces when said coils areenergized said coils being situated beyond one end of said resistor,means for applying pressure to opposite ends of said resistor, a pushconnection between said armature and one of said pressure applyingmeans, and a pull connection between said armature and the otherpressure applying means.

31. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of tubularresistors, a plurality of carbon piles connected together in series,common electro-responsive means for applying varying pressure to all ofsaid piles, and means for electrically connecting any of said tubularresistors in parallel with said piles.

32. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of tubularresistors, a plurality of carbon piles connected tgether in series,common electro-responsive means for applying varying pressure to all ofsaid piles, and means for electrically connecting any of said tubularresistors in parallel with said piles, and a framework carrying all ofsaid resistors and piles.

33. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of carbonpiles, arranged one above the other and delecting plates positionedabove each pile except the uppermost, to deflect heat produced by saidpiles from the piles above.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ELI J. BLAKE.

